Shark in gillnet a surprise catch for Torbay fisherman

It's a story of the one that didn't get away.

Fisherman Wayne Tapper found a nine-foot porbeagle shark in his gillnets Tuesday when he checked his gear near Torbay. 

Tapper, who has a commercial licence, called the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which came to check out the shark.

Tapper told CBC's The Broadcast that the shark was caught close to the shoreline, in shallow water, and he's not in violation of any rules because of his licence.

The shark was dead by the time it was brought to shore, he said. The net is not too badly damaged because the shark was caught in only one end.

Tapper estimated the shark weighed between 400 to 500 pounds — or 181 to 226 kilograms.

He is allowed to keep some of the animal to eat and he plans to try a meal, but has to get rid of the rest because the sale of shark meat is not permitted.

• Shark attack interrupts Newfoundland cod fishing trip
• Out to catch some cod, Torbay man hooks 2m shark instead